A Comparison of Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes and Subchorionic Hematoma Effects in Pregnant Women with Threatened Abortion and Healthy Controls

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the obstetric and neonatal outcomes and effects of subchorionic hematoma (SH) in women with threatened abortion (TA) and healthy controls. Methods: The medical records of pregnant women were retrospectively reviewed. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes in 138 pregnant women diagnosed with TA (study group) were compared with those in 138 randomly selected healthy controls. The outcomes were also compared according to SH presence as revealed by ultrasonography (USG) in the first trimester. Results: The groups were demographically homogeneous. The mean infant weight and 1st-minute Apgar score were lower and the low-birth-weight infant rate was higher in the study group. The SH rate was statistically significantly higher in the study group (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of birth week, preterm labor, postmaturity, delivery type, preeclampsia, placental abruption, and 5th-minute Apgar scores (p>0.05). In the control group, there was no significant difference between women with and without SH in terms of obstetric and neonatal outcomes. In the study group, the mean 5th-minute Apgar score was found to be significantly (p=0.002) higher in pregnant women with SH than in those without. Conclusion: TA may increase the likelihood of a low-birth-weight infant and a low 1st-minute Apgar score by affecting fetal weight gain and well-being. SH alone without other risk factors does not appear to affect neonatal and obstetric outcomes in healthy pregnant women. Concomitant SH and TA without additional risk factors may positively affect 5th-minute Apgar scores.